Meter testing instrument support



Dec.11, '1945.' T R. R. CARLSVON I 0 METER TESTING INSTRUMENT SUPPORTFiled Aug. 21, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 if; v.

Dec. 11, 1945.

R. R. CARLSON 2,390,640

METER 'TESTING INSTRUMENT SUPPORT Filed Aug. 21, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 AA 10 10 15 7.9 47 4,26 41 3,9 2 1 $1M 9 la 4? $5 50 Z 9 Patented Dem-11,1945 UNITED-' STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,390,640 METER TESTING INSTRUMENTSUPPORJT Ralph Racarlson, St; 'Pa'uLjMinnr Application August 21, 1942,Serial No. 455,667

3 Claims. (ClI"2'11-.71)

my invention relates "to" an improvement in meter 'ftsting" instrumentsupport, wherein-"it is desiredto'provide "a novel'ineans of supportingequipment "such-as is usedfor testing meters and the like,

'Me'ters'use'd for measuring ielectrical jlcurrent mustbe testedio'r'a'ccuracy from time to time in thfefcperation thereof; "Intesting'the meters, they are either removed and replacedend taken to arepairf1aboratory,. or else portable equipment is takenjto the mountedmeter :for testing the same while'in p'lajc'e. While the former methodis often more .conVenieht; it [has been found that the meters aresometimes Lin'juredfduring transportationior replacement. Accordingly,the testing of often consideredthe "safest. method;

ltiiis 'theais'u'al practice to carry the necessary instruments, tools,connection wires .andfex-tensro'n; cords. necessarywfor checking. the.meter to thefinetr locationsiri. a suitable set ofcarrying cases. It isthen necessary vtoremove thesesinstriume'nts from their cases; connectthemup, and

make the necessarywte'sts. .As the -metersare often. mounted high on awall, or ,over a stair- Way, itiis'thenrusually necessary eithertosborrow an'la'dderfor chair tostand on, or to so construct thecarrying case ..that it will hold the weight of thesmanmak'ingthe test.

It "is the object of thewpresent invention to constructvaisupportforiinstruments necessary ior makingtthe-tests which will simplify thetesting operation and permit completion of the tests in an extremelyshort "period of time. This support will. provides, space .fOlalleinstruments, tools, connectingfwires and the like, ancLwill permitthe testing ,of themeter without removing allof the instruments from ttheir support. Certain-of the w-ininglisdncorporated in the support bymeans air-which the testing operation .issimplified. 'As aresul't, :;itis only necessary to conneetpredeterminedtwires to -the :meter and tomake the :test. Repair. parts and :theenecessary repair. tools {are alsosupported.

An :object :ofv the' present invention lies *inthe formationr-of waninstrument support having}, a front instrument supporting frame .and'arear leg frame pivotally secured to the-front frame near thee-upper endthereof-J. The rearleg frame includes' -at-series of spaced stepsarranged-to form a narrow step ladder. Accordingly, the instrumentsupport maybe used-as :a step ladder to permit the person making thetest to reach meters mountedhigh upon a wallwithout the :use of extraequipment.

the mecens-wnne. they are actually. installed is all) A feature of thepresent construction lie siri the fact that the frame is relativelynarrowrmakin'g 'it possible erect the-':' frame "on sstepsaf-of a=stair-way, This feature is 0f importance; due to the commonpracticect-mounting meters above stairways;-=

A further "feature of the 'present invention flies in the provision of:a means of limitingthe pivotm movement of the 1 leg frame with respectto "the front instrument supporting frame: As a result; the support maybe use'd' as a: step ladder with out danger I of the two f-r'anres=spreadihg iapart and =-'co1-'lap'sing. In addition; I providewmeans forsecuring the =two 'frames in properly spaced rel-ation when' erected, toprevent the two ='frames from "pivoting together to collapse the isupportfl Itan' object of the present invention to pro: vide a support 'fo'rmeter testing instruments equipped with a "detachable =Wh eel soarranged that thesupport may *be rolled "along the surface of the grountThe testing instruments'and necessary tools are heavy to carry from onelocation toano'ther. As the testing equipment must usua'ly the hn'roved'to "several different locations in-a day; the weight of the instrumentswould become burdensome to-carry. By addin -the wheel to the: lower endare the support,- however; theequipmerit Tnayibe moved'about with littleditfic'ulty; as most of the "weight of the equipment is carried by-thesupporting wheel: The wheelaxl'e' is provide'd withspaced sockets "intowhich the lower end of one of-theframe members may detachabl'y engage:

Afurther feature of the present invention lies in the provision of areversingswitch mounted on thesupportin such a 'mann'er th'at the wiresconnecting the meter to the testing equipment maybereversed; Thisobviatesthe necessity of removing the test" wires from the meter i tore-i verse the sameydecrea'sing'the work 'and tiine necessary in makingthe test, 'and" 1essenin'g the chance of short circuiting'thewviring."

Aj-lurther feature of the present 'invention ilies in theprovisidn of a:series 'of removable" sup portsfor containing tool's, .s'pare'vr'epaizi 1381131757,? a flashiightfandtheiikes: Provisions-are alsomade forisupportingconnection iwires'and sanrzextem STUIISCOPdfOfiIEIITused in .makin'g the testsn a= compact-support is provided. whichnmay'be readily; moved. about; and which supports. all of the instruments,tools, and equipmemb. necessary forthe testing and repairing -job..

These and 7 other objects, and novel "features of my inventiomwillibemore clearlyand fully set forth in the followin specification andclaims.

tion:

Figure l is a perspective View of the meter testing instrument supporterected, with the instruments removed therefrom,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the support in its collapsedposition, in readiness to be moved.

Figure} is a side elevational sectional view vertically through .thesupport in erected posi-v tion.

Figure 4 is a detail view of the supporting wheel construction.

Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the support with the instrumentsremoved therefrom.

Figure 6 is an elevational view Of the side of the,

support opposite to that best shown in Figure l of the drawings. aFigure 'l is a transverse sectional view, the position of the sectionbeing indicated by the line ti-Poi Figured :v

metertesting instrument support A comprisesnla substantially U-shapedfront frame member ID including a pair of parallel leg I l and-atophandle element 12 connecting the legs I I. A rear leg frame I3 includesa pair of paral- 1el's'legs' l4 each pivotally connected by adetachablerpivot' bolt l5 to a rearwardly extending ear I6 onthe frontframe member Ill. The legs II and 14 are preferably tubular to providethe necessary strength without sacrificing weight.

Tubular transverse connecting members l1, l9 and connect .the parallellegs II at intervals throughout their length. Similar tubular transverseconnecting member 22 and 2| connect the parallel legs [4 of therear-frame. Outwardly bowed:tubular'connecting members-23 and 24, at;spaced intervals from the connecting members 2| and 22, also connect thetwo parallel leg l4. Plates 2.: and 26 arewelded or otherwise secured tothe connecting members 23 and 24 to form flat steps. r a 1 Flexibleconnecting chains 21 and 29 connect the frame members l0 and I3 to limitthe spread of these members apart. A rod 30 may be used to hold theerected frame members l0 and I3 in spread formation. A socket 3|depending from the cross connecting member 26 is designed to receive oneend of the rod 36. The rod 36 is also designed to extend through anaperture in av depending lug 32 depending from the transverse connectingmember 22. .A thumb screw 33 may be tightened against the rod 30 in thelug 32 to hold the. rod from longitudinal movement through the aperturein the lug 32.

As best seen in Figure 6 of the drawings, the rod 30 is supported by oneof the legs l4 when not,- in use. A socket 34 is provided toaccommodate'the lower end. ofv the rod 30 which is also extendingthrough an aperture in a lu 35 on the leg I4, A thumb nut 36 .in the lug35 holds the rod in this supported position.

I A basket or pocket 31 is supported between the legs: H of the frontframe member l0. This basket 31 includes a rectangular frame 39extending'around the upper edge thereof, and a series of"U-shapedponnecting wires extending from one side to the other thereof,designated in the drawings by the number 46. A second series ofU'-shaped wires 4I"c'onnect the front and rear 1 edges of the frame 39,these wires 4| crossing the wires 40 to forin the base of thebasket.This .fbasket 3l is designed to support an instrument known a a watthourstandard used in the test- In the drawings forming a part of myspecificareceptacle .43. is designed tocontain the bulb and bulb socketof an extension cord not shown in the drawings. This receptacle may alsosupport a dusting cloth which may, if desired, be wrapped about theextension \cord bulb to cushion the same.

, On the. side of the frame 10 opposite to that supporting thereceptacle 43, I provide a second elongated hollow cylindricalreceptacle 46. In the construction shown, this receptacle 46 is alsoformed of a series of spaced parallel rings 41 connected by sideconnecting wires 49. This receptacle is used for supporting aflashlightoften necessary for use before the extension cord .may beconnected. This flashlight is not shown in the drawings.

Below the basket 31, and between the legs 1! of the frame 16, I providean inverted basket 56. This inverted basket is formed bya rectangularwire frame 5I,,and inverted U-shaped cross .wires 52 connecting theopposed sides ofthe frame 5|, and inverted U-shaped cross wires 53connecting the Opposed ends of the frame. These wires '52 and 53 crossto form atop for the basket. This basket 56 forms an enclosure for theupper end of the loadbox 54 used in testingthe meters, and acts to holdthis loadgbox in proper position.

' In order to secure the load box 54in place, I providea pair of studs55 projectingflforwardly from the legs ll of the frame l6. Clips 56 areslidably mounted on the studs .55fwhich engage the corners of the loadbox 54. Thumbnuts 51 on the studs clamp theclips 56 against the outercorners of the box 54, clampingthis box against the cross member [9 onthe frame ID as best illustrated in Figure 3 Of the drawings.

A pair of connecting wires 59 are secured extending-between the legs II,and a pair of U- shaped loops 66 extend rearwardly from these connectingwires to encircle a tool container 6| to slidably support the ame.Bracing wires 62 are secured to the connecting wires 59 and extendupwardly to the bottom of the basket 31. Other bracing wires 63 alsoextend downwardly from the basket 31 and are connected to the loopsThese bracing wires 62 and 63 extend longitudinally of the toolcontainer 6] which is removable from the bottom of its support. Thelower forward edge of the tool container may bear against the crossmember) as shown" in Figure 3 of the drawings, the supporting wiresflexing suffi ciently to allow the container to be slid downwardly inremoving the same, or to be slid upwardly into the position shown inFigure 3. p

A pair of U-shaped loops 5 4 are terminally welded or otherwise securedto the rear of the loops and project rearwardly therefrom. SubstantiallyL'-shaped wires 65 connect the loops 64 and extend inwardly'at theirlower ends to provide a closed lower end for the compartment thusformed. A small spare part container 66 is slidably supported'within theloops 64, and may be removed by an upward slidable movement.

A connecting wire 61 parallel to the, legs I l connects the crossmembers l9 and 20. A wire loop of U-shape is terminally connected tothis con necting wire 61. 'I'his loop 69 is designed to encircle thebody of a container 10 to be used for containing spare parts and thelike. An L- shaped hasp H is hinged at 12 to a leg I I, as illustratedin Figure 7 of the drawings. This hasp 1! is designed to engage over astaple-shaped strip 68 secured to the end of the container 10. A look orpin may be inserted in the staple 12 to prevent removal of the container10 and also the container iii.

A pair of forwardly extending U-shaped loops T3 are terminally connectedto the legs ll. These loops 13 are designed to encircle a partscontainer 14 which is slidabl engaged therein. Transversel extendingguide wires i5 secured to the loops 13 are turned at right angles at oneend thereof to form inwardly projecting portions to limit slidablemovement of the container T4 in one direction. The container 14 isslidably removable from the other .end of the support thus formed.

A pair of angularly extending tubular members 16 are welded or otherwiseconnected to the frame member It; and the outer ends of these members 16are connected by a cross connecting tubular member Ti. These frameelements form a guard for the instruments mounted on the frame, and alsoprovide a handle by means of which the entire support may be lifted andcarried.

A pair of substantiall L-shaped brackets 19 are secured to each of thelegs H in opposed relation. The extension cord and various connectingwires may be wound between the opposed brackets of each pair, providinga support for these wires, cords, and cables.

A reversing switch 88 is secured on one side of the frame. Wires fromthis switch are enclosed in a conduit housing 8| secured to one frameleg H, and the various wires to the instruments are shown extending fromthe switch 80 to the instruments. The direction of flow of the currentmay be regulated by this reversing switch.

In'order to portabl support the entire unit, I provide a rubber tiredwheel 82 rotatably mounted upon an axle 83. This axle 83 supports a pairof spaced sockets 84 designed to receive the lower extremities of thelegs I! of the frame l0. Thumb screws or the like 85 are provided in thesockets 84 to hold the legs within the sockets. When in place, as shownin Figure 2 of the drawings, the entire support A may be supported uponthe wheel 82 and rolled along the surface of the ground.

The unit is of such a size that it can be readily rolled or carried fromplace to place. It may be erected upon a step of a stairway, or on anysubstantially level surface, holding all of the instruments accessiblefor testing purposes, and providing a ladder by means of which thetester may reach to relativel high locations. All of the necessaryinstruments, tools, and spare parts are unitarily supported, greatlysimplifying the operation of testing a meter. Straps such as 86 may bebound about the legs H and M if desired when the support A is collapsedto hold the support in this position.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described theconstruction and operation. of my support for meter testing instruments,and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, Idesire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within thescope of the following claims Without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

I claim:

1. A meter testing instrument support including a frame comprising twohingedly connected sections, a series of supports for meter testinginstruments mounted on one section of said frame, a pair of armsprojecting angularly from said one section of said frame on either sideof said meter testing instruments, a cross mem ber connecting the outerextremities of said arms, said connecting member providing a guard forsaid instruments and providing a handle by means of which said frame andsaid instruments may be carried.

2. A meter testing instrument support comprising a frame including apair of substantially parallel frame members and connecting membersbetween said parallel frame members, a basket between said frame membersfor supporting a meter testing instrument, an inverted basket foraccommodating the upper extremity of a second meter testing instrument,clamping means connected to said frame for holding the second metertesting instrument in place, guides for slidably supporting containerson said frame, and containers slidably supported in said guides.

3. A meter testing instrument support comprising a frame including apair of substantially parallel frame members and connecting memberstherebetween, an inverted basket secured to said frame members adaptedto accommodate the upper extremity of a meter testing instrument, a pairof bolts projecting from said frame and spaced apart a distance slightlywider than the meter testing instrument, and means on said bolts adaptedto engage with said meter testing instrument when the upper end thereofis engaged in said inverted basket to hold the meter testing instrumentin place and to prevent downward movement thereof.

RALPH R. CARLSON.

